Service Information
Gerald "Jerry" B. Notch, age 81, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2019, at his home in Hutchinson Township, Minnesota.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at 12:00 (Noon) P.M. at St. Anastasia Catholic Church in Hutchinson with interment at a later date in Minnesota Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls, Minnesota.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019, two hours prior to the service at the church.
Military Honors by the Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.
Memorials preferred.
In honor of Jerry's 'celebrity style', the family requests everyone to wear their favorite flannel.
Obituary
Gerald “Jerry” Boniface Notch was born May 5, 1938, in Millwood Township, Minnesota. He was the son of Leo and Rose (Herzog) Notch. Jerry was baptized and confirmed in his Catholic faith at the Church of St. Mary’s in Melrose, Minnesota. He received his education in Melrose and graduated in 1956 from the Melrose High School.
On June 3, 1967, Jerry was united in marriage to Caroline Voit at St. Rose of Lima in St. Rosa, Minnesota. They shared 52 years of marriage and were blessed with three children, Linda, Eric, and Brenda. They resided in Melrose, where he was mayor and owned a fabricating business, until moving to Hutchinson in 1970, when Jerry was hired to teach welding at the vocational school. He retired from Ridgewater College in 1996.
In addition to teaching, Jerry kept busy with a fabricating business serving the local area.
Jerry served in the Minnesota Army National Guard from 1955-1977 and retired honorably as a Captain. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Gladiola Society, and The American Legion. He was a former member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Hassan Valley Lodge #109, Pheasants Forever, and the Dahlia Society.
Jerry competed for several years as a member of the Mutineers, a cannon shooting team. He enjoyed wood working, baking honey cookies, and gardening. He grew abundant amounts of kohlrabi, onions, tomatoes and cucumbers, and especially enjoyed gladiolas and dahlias. Anyone who stopped to visit was sure to leave with flowers, produce, or refrigerator pickles. He was a “Gentle Giant”, known in his younger years for his strength, and always for the size of his hands and firm handshake. Jerry delighted in his grandchildren and will always be their ‘Opa’.
Jerry passed away on Sunday, October 27, 2019, at his home at the age of 81 years. Blessed be his memory.
Gerald is survived by his:
Wife, Carol Notch;
Children, Linda-Rose Michel (Nick), Eric Notch (Chica), and Brenda Singel (Ryan);
Grandchildren, Jakob Michel and Cora-Rose Michel;
Many other relatives, friends, and former students.
Jerry is preceded in death by his parents, brother LeRoy and his wife Mary.
Cindy karg says
My heartfelt sympathy!! Jerry was a wonderful man!! He use to bring me glads that I used at the floral shop!! He always had kind words to say!! Heaven gained another gardener!
David Franzen says
So sorry to hear this. I just took a driver +55 class with Jerry. Took his welding class at Ridgewater. Became friends when we ( Hutch Fire Dept) extracted him from his refurbished truck. He will be missed.
Eric Gehrke says
We are so sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing. We just heard today. He was a great man!! He will be missed. Our prayers go out to your family at this difficult time.
Colleen Sweeney says
A man of honor, hard work, love of the land and his beautiful big smile. I will miss you, Opa.
Bob Lawrence says
Jerry was a incredible teacher, and a wonderful person. He will be greatly missed.
Brian Larson says
My sympathy and condolences to the family of Jerry. I was a student at HAVTI enrolled in the NDT program 1979-81 and Jerry was the welding instructor then. Such a great instructor! He knew welding. He was bigger than life and his presence commanded respect. One of the nicest persons I’ve ever known. After all these years since I’ve seen Jerry, this news was hard to hear.
Christopher Wilmot says
I too was a NDT student at HAVTI in 79-80. I was a welding student of his and he kept saying that if you’re going to inspect and criticize others welds then you better be able to show them how it was done. It was a great lesson that if your going to talk the talk then you better walk the walk. I’ve thought fondly about him off and on throughout the years. He definitely was a gentle giant. I know i will think of him in the years to come only with a tinge of sadness mixed with the fondness.
Garey Knudsen says
I knew Jerry as a dedicated professional who had lots of respect from his students. I worked with Jerry for many years at what was then HAVTI. I always felt that Jerry was a real asset as a staff member. He will be missed at our Thursday morning breakfast get togethers. God Bless Jerry!
Duane Jindra says
Jerry was a great guy will miss talking as you also had some wisdom
He is now with God and will not be suffering
To Carol and the family may feel comfort is knowing that Jerry is looking at you all and has that great big smile that we seen so many times in the past
Kevin Newell says
I have the same sentiments as Brian L. I was a HAVTI student ‘81-83. Jerry was a terrific welding instructor. Tough but fair!! He was a mentor and coach that compelled you to strive for your best. Heartfelt condolences to his family.
Andrea Koenig says
Dear Carol and family~~~it is with great sadness that we write this. Arnie spent four years taking the farm welding class as a Veteran. They met one night every week. In addition to learning a lot, they always went out for pizza and all the guys became such great friends. Would visit at the Fair, and at the Knights of Columbus fish fry, etc. What a great guy. God Bless all of your good memories.
Arnie and Andy Koenig
Donna Engelen says
Our sympathies to Jerry’s family. I always enjoyed talking to him at the 3M steak fries and catching up. He was a great neighbor as the crow flies.
Donna, from the entire Ondracek family
Marlene (Roering) Straszewski says
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was a great man. May you find comfort in beautiful memories.
Max and Susan Schmid says
Jerry’s passing has brought us a flood of wonderful memories from our time as friends and neighbors in McLeod County. Jerry was always so helpful and his laugh and humor brightened every visit. He was indeed a gifted horticulturalist and a source of valuable gardening advice. How such a big man could love flowers as he did! It made his love for nature all the more delightful. We are so thankful that God allowed Jerry to be in our lives. He and Carol were devoted friends for the past 35 years and their children have become like our own. Our hearts break for Carol, Linda, Eric, Brenda, Jakob and Cora-Rose. May you all find strength and peace in God’s love and compassion and in knowing that your husband/father/grandfather was a man of faith in Jesus Christ and was greatly loved by many.
DUANE ARNDT says
BLESSINGS TO CAROL A FAMILY. SHOCKED AND SAD HEARING OF JERRY. THE MEMORIES OF US WORKING TOGETHER ON PROJECTS WILL NEVER FADE. JERRY WAS ALWAYS GLAD TO SEE YOU WITH HIS BIG HAND SHAKE. I KNOW I’LL BE MISSING HIM FOR SURE.
Tom Bipes says
I met Jerry as a student at the vocational school NDT program in 1974-76. What a great instructor, he knew his material and loved to teach, and did it so well. I had the pleasure of working with Jerry as a fellow instructor from 1980-86. After moving from the area, I continued to keep in touch and visit periodically, visiting my last time just a few years ago. What a great man, loving father and influential teacher! He will be surely missed but his legacy will live on! Blessings to the Notch family.
Linda Benjamin says
Jerry always had time to talk to me about different things.
When ever I need my knifes needed sharpening Jerry was there for me. And Jerry gave me hints about different things in the garden and I liked that and I got pails of cucumber pickles
in which we all liked. Jerry will be missed all
Christopher Wilmot says
I too was a NDT student at HAVTI in 79-80. I was a welding student of his and he kept saying that if you’re going to inspect and criticize others welds then you better be able to show them how it was done. It was a great lesson that if your going to talk the talk then you better walk the walk. I’ve thought fondly about him off and on throughout the years. He definitely was a gentle giant. I know i will think of him in the years to come only with a tinge of sadness mixed with the fondness.
Brad Zeigler says
Jerry was a good man and teacher, he was also my friend. I went through his one year welding class after retiring from the military in 1994, we became good friends in that time and kept in touch over the years. I am sad for his family and know they will miss him so much. They do have the comfort of knowing he was a good Christian man, so they can see Jerry again in heaven.
Jim Martin says
I was a HAVTI student ‘81-‘83. Jerry was a standout teacher in an excellent program. Jerry and the NDT program provided me with valuable life lessons and direction for which I am eternally grateful. I worked out at his place a few weekends; I remember asking him why he grew so many flowers. He said liked them and you can buy vegetables in the market. Big guy, big heart.I think of Jerry each year I plant my garden.
Fondly remembered.
Angela Van Gilder says
Carol,
I had no idea Jerry passed away. My condolences!
Jerry and my father both taught at the college going all the way back to when it was HAVTI. My father was Richard Van Gilder who taught in the Metrology Department. They both retired together in 1996.
Jerry and my father along with 3 others would have breakfast once a month after retirement. My father use to tell me how Jerry was full of humor and kind and respectful. I saw Jerry a few times as a I grew up and would go to the college with my dad. Jerry was always the “gentle happy giant”
I loved getting Jerry’s “pickled watermelon sticks” in the jar once a year. He was a true German.
-Angel Van Gilder